Cowley College Installs USB bench

Article courtesy of Cowley College, written by Hunter Ferguson, Integrated Communications Specialist

Cowley College is proud to announce the installation of a new bench in the courtyard of the Tyler Technical Education Center, a project made possible through the generosity of Union State Bank and the skilled collaboration of Cowley’s faculty and students.

“The Tyler Technical Education Center is an amazing facility that will take the student experience to the next level,” said Clayton Pappan, Union State Bank’s Director of Marketing. “We are honored that Union State Bank can have a prominent role in the development of tomorrow’s workforce.”

Union State Bank sponsored the courtyard through donations made during the planning and construction of the Tyler Technical Education Center. From the outset, the project was envisioned as a hands-on opportunity for student involvement—aligning with the college’s mission of experiential learning. Though the center officially opened in the fall, the completion of the bench was delayed to ensure students could play an active role in the process.

“Union State Bank has long been a valued partner of the Cowley College Foundation” said Dr. Kori Gregg, Foundation President and CEO. “Their pledge as a major donor to our Career and Technical Education Building campaign exemplified their commitment not only to Cowley College and our students, but to the community as well”.

The newly installed bench features the Union State Bank logo within a custom plaque fabricated by Welding Instructor Rick Squires and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department Chair Daniel Brooks. The concrete slab and bench installation were completed by students in the construction trades program under the guidance of instructor Zack Rozell.

Cowley College President Dr. Michelle Schoon praised the effort, stating, "This project is a great example of community partnership and student engagement. Union State Bank’s generosity allowed us to create a space that is both functional and symbolic of the teamwork and talent at Cowley."

The bench now stands as a welcoming feature of the courtyard, providing a place of rest and reflection for students, faculty, and visitors while also showcasing the craftsmanship and collaboration that define Cowley College’s Career and Technical Education programs.